Kelly Stafford, a former UGA cheerleader and wife of quarterback Matthew Stafford, was diagnosed in January with an acoustic neuroma. Acoustic neuroma is a noncancerous and slow growing tumor that develops on the main nerve leading from your inner ear to your brain. Symptoms include hearing loss and vertigo, which Stafford said happened to her more than once. Treatments for acoustic neuroma include regular monitoring, radiation and surgical removal. Stafford said Wednesday she is having surgery. In rare c

Matthew Stafford’s wife recovering after 12-hour brain surgery

Kelly Stafford, the wife of Detroit Lions quarterback and former Georgia Bulldogs star Matthew Stafford, says she is home after surgery to remove a brain tumor — an acoustic neuroma.

She says the surgery lasted 12 hours in an Instagram post where she thanked all her supporters for their good thoughts and prayers.

She describes the surgeon discovering an abnormal vein during the procedure.

“Now I am home and learning my new norm. It’ll take some time, but I really just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for all your support, thoughts and prayers. It means more than y’all will ever know.”

Kelly and the Matthew Stafford have three daughters. They started dating at Georgia where she was a cheerleader and he was the star of the football team. They married in 2015. He was the No. 1 pick in the 2009 NFL draft and has spent his entire career with the Lions.